If Bernie's Plan for Free Tuition Was Approved...?

[warren zee]

Originally Posted by BLAZER PROPHET

If elected President, one of the things Senator Sanders would like to do is have government paid tuition for all public universities and colleges. I do not want to debate the idea or the costs...


The question I have is what would become of the private universities and colleges- Ivy League schools like Yale, Harvard... Religious private universities and colleges that are around the country... medical universities.... and others.


It would seem to me that their enrollments would drop appreciably. With a large drop in revenue, could they not only stay afloat but continue to provide the level of education they currently enjoy?


Is it possible it would destroy the private education industry in this country?


Would this be a good thing when trying to train people to be the best and the brightest?

What would become of them?

1. They would need to lower their cost.

2. A certain segment of the population will always be able to afford, or prefer, a private education.

3. Student loan rates would be lowered.

[maus]

If there were free tuition at American colleges, taxpayers would somehow still end up footing most of the bill.

[Costaexpress]

Originally Posted by maus

If there were free tuition at American colleges, taxpayers would somehow still end up footing most of the bill.

nothing is free. the cost shifts from one section to another. that'll all.

the hey-it's-free is a political rhetoric based on envy and jealousy.

[redguard57]

Originally Posted by Costaexpress

nothing is free. the cost shifts from one section to another. that'll all.

the hey-it's-free is a political rhetoric based on envy and jealousy.

No, people understand it comes from taxes - like your local public school.

I'm happy every time I drive by the school in my neighborhood that MY TAXES HELP PAY FOR.

What do I get for my money?

- the school employs about 100 teachers and staff - they spend their money right back into the economy.
- kids get to stay off the street - better for my home value to avoid itinerant kids and crime
- the local populace is better educated... I'm in no way better off if the locals in my area can't read or do math
- community events like kids sports, etc... a while back they hosted a 5k and had the kids manage it with teachers helping

There is nothing negative to that tax money and it doesn't even cost that much.... about $800 a year as part of my property tax.

[onlymike]

What do you think about a use tax to pay for your college tuition? Say you pay 5% tax after graduation every year on your state income tax to pay for your college. But you only pay if you went to college. Not to mention you pay weather you are a barrista at starbucks or a surgeon. This way colleges are more interested in providing a valuable education. That way they will be paid back much more than if they give a subpar education.

[redguard57]

Originally Posted by onlymike

What do you think about a use tax to pay for your college tuition? Say you pay 5% tax after graduation every year on your state income tax to pay for your college. But you only pay if you went to college. Not to mention you pay weather you are a barrista at starbucks or a surgeon. This way colleges are more interested in providing a valuable education. That way they will be paid back much more than if they give a subpar education.

I think Australia has something along those lines. Anything is better than our current funding mechanism for colleges. The problem with something like that, though, is that it would probably be complicated to administer.